Abstract 269 – Engaging the Zoo and Aquarium Population of Polar Bears in Scientific Studies

Wynona Shellabarger, Hendrik Nollens, Thea Bechshoft, Anthony Pagano, Stephen
D. Petersen, Sarah Teman, Erin Curry, Megan A. Owen, Amy Cutting

Due to inherent challenges associated with studying wild polar bears, bears in zoological
institutions serve as a valuable resource for advancing scientific knowledge and providing
opportunities to validate field techniques. To coordinate zoo participation in such studies and
identify priority focus areas, the Polar Bear Research Council (PBRC) was formed in 2017 and
includes leaders in polar bear conservation science representing zoological facilities,
government agencies, and non-government organizations. Polar bears in human care are easily
accessible for longitudinal bio-sampling and behavioral monitoring. Many bears are excellent
participants in positive reinforcement training, which enables biological sampling (blood, urine,
saliva, fur), placement of tracking collars/tags for monitoring trials, ultrasound examinations,
and participation in behavioral bioassays or cognitive/sensory trials without sedation or
anesthesia. In addition, most bears are anesthetized for preventative health care exams on a
routine basis, presenting regular opportunities for approved bio-sample collection. Detailed
medical records are maintained throughout an individual’s lifetime and can be a valuable
resource for data collection. Additionally, standardized necropsies are performed on all
deceased captive polar bears; information obtained and biomaterials routinely collected are all
resources for future investigational studies. In recent years, more than a dozen published
studies have been conducted in North American zoos that provide insight into the unique
physiology and behavior of this species or helped optimize and validate field techniques. The
PBRC’s goal is to raise awareness of the unique contributions of polar bears in managed care
and to assist field scientists with collaboration and implementation of studies in the zoological
setting that could further our understanding of bears in the wild.